Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East divert the focus of the United States of America (USA) from the Western Balkans, and that is why it is important that political leaders from the region do their part in order for the countries to become members of the European Union (EU) as soon as possible, said the former US ambassador. and Kurt Volker at NATO.
In an interview with the MINA agency, Volker said that Russia is using the situation, trying to expand its influence and undermine pro-Western governments, political parties and actors in the Balkans.
He said that the Western Balkans is still an unstable region and that, as he stated, it is also dangerous that there are parties in the Montenegrin government that question the western orientation of the country.
When asked how important the Western Balkans are currently for NATO and the US, given the constellation of relations and challenges on the international scene, Volker pointed to the increasing challenges the US is facing in relation to American strategic interests in Europe and the wider world.
"We have the biggest war in Europe since the Second World War, with the Russian war against Ukraine," Volker said, reminding that war is also raging in the Middle East.
He added that the US also faces great risks in Asia. "And these threats are gradually intertwining".
As he pointed out, the Americans should understand that there are risks in the Western Balkans as well.
"The countries in the region are not all fully integrated into the EU, not all are members of NATO, and they are subject to many activities of actors who have a nationalist, religious or ethnic agenda," warned Volker.
According to him, that influence is used by external actors, such as Russia.
"The Western Balkans is still an unstable region. It is important that we remain focused on restoring peace and security in Europe as a whole, and the Balkans must be part of that," emphasized Volker.
Asked what he sees as the main challenges and threats to the security of the Western Balkans, he said that these are individual domestic actors, but also foreign influences.
"First of all, it is domestic actors in the Balkan countries themselves who encourage nationalist, religious or ethnic demands from history, because it benefits them politically," Volker said.
He warned that it is very risky and potentially destructive, because internal actors are often exploited by external actors.
"I mentioned Russia, also the Russian Orthodox Church and others who come from outside to fuel the flames of resentment, which, I think, can be very dangerous," Volker said.
When asked whether the war in Ukraine and the Middle East could divert the focus of the US from the Western Balkans, he replied that, without a doubt, this is already happening.
"You see that the US is very focused on the Russian war in Ukraine and the war in the Middle East. And, of course, that diverts attention, especially at high levels, from the Balkan region," Volker said.
According to him, that is why it is important that the leaders in the Balkans do the necessary work in order to harmonize with the EU and enter the Union as soon as possible.
"You can't afford to be on the sidelines, because bad things can still happen," Volker said.
Asked whether Russia can use this situation to expand its influence in the Western Balkans, especially in Montenegro, Volker said that there is no doubt that Russia is trying to do so.
"They have a hot war in Ukraine, frozen conflicts in Georgia and Moldova, and they are actively trying to undermine pro-Western governments and political parties and actors in the Balkans," said Volker.
He pointed to the elections currently taking place in Bulgaria, where, as he stated, Russia is playing a very active role supporting one of the political parties and trying to turn that government away from its pro-Western orientation.
"We saw the same in Montenegro, including the use of channels from Serbia and through Serbia, in order to exert influence on Montenegro. So it is very dangerous," said Volker.
He believes that it is also dangerous that there are parties in the Montenegrin government that, as he said, question the western orientation and independence of the state.
"I think that even having parties in the Montenegrin government that question the western orientation and independence of Montenegro is in itself very dangerous," Volker said.
As he pointed out, this is something that is supported from outside, by Russia.
Commenting on the presence of identity and nationalist narratives in public discourse in Montenegro, Volker pointed out that Montenegro can be proud of the fact that it was a model of multinational or multi-ethnic integration.
"You know, what other country in the Balkans has a predominantly Slavic population and an ethnic Albanian prime minister at some point," Volker said.
This, he added, means that she was a model of integration, tolerance and Western focus.
"He can't afford to lose that. I think if he slips into deeper nationalism, resentment and discontent, as has already started to happen, that's a recipe for disaster," Volker stressed.
Commenting on the position of Montenegro in relation to global and regional events, he pointed out that Montenegro, as a very small country, cannot ensure its security in the world in the way that larger countries can.
He pointed out that Montenegro is also economically dependent on interactions with other countries.
"It is clear that Montenegro must be a member of NATO, it must be a member of the Union and it needs neighbors who are also part of the EU and NATO," said Volker.
This, he believes, is what is best for Montenegro.
"Everything was going too slowly with the actors in the Balkans, and how could they do what was necessary to improve their countries," Volker said.
According to him, the West was also too slow.
"I think there is now a bit more openness in the West, but we still need to be more proactive in the region," Volker pointed out.
Commenting on the increase in the defense budget in Montenegro, Volker said that it is necessary.
"I look at it more through the NATO lens. You have to grow as a member of NATO. It is important that all NATO member countries spend at least two percent of their budget on defense and that they integrate with NATO as much as possible, so that we form a common security arrangement Volker said.
As he explained, if there are members who do not give their share and do not spend enough on defense, it would weaken political support for NATO in other countries, especially in the USA.
As he added, it is very important and symbolic.
"Certainly yes, Montenegro has to make that decision, Serbia too. But it has to be done, because everyone has to move forward," said Volker.
When asked how the November elections in the USA could affect the relationship towards the Western Balkans, he said that he believes that it will not make any big changes.
"It's important for the US, but it's not at the top of the list. I think that will be the case regardless of whether the administration of Kamala Harris or Donald Trump comes to power," said Volker.
When asked if the end of the war in Ukraine is in sight, Volker said that the most important thing is for Western countries to support Ukraine enough for Russian President Vladimir Putin to see that the continuation of the war is too costly for him and end it.
"The key to ending the war against Ukraine is for Putin to realize that it is too expensive to continue," Volker said.
As he added, the only reason there is a war is because Putin created it, and the only way to stop the war is for Putin to end it.
"He still believes that he can win by fighting. He is ready to kill as many Russians as necessary in order to continue to advance," said Volker.
As he pointed out, the Russian army loses over a thousand soldiers a day, but Putin believes that it is worth it.
"Therefore, in order to convince him otherwise, it is necessary for the US and our allies in Europe to put sufficient military force and the unlimited use of that military force on the table, so that Ukraine can demonstrate that it is costly for Russia and that it is not worth it for Putin to keep going," Volker said.
According to him, this has not been done enough, and it should have been done a long time ago. "We still have to do it".
Volker said that providing enough support to Ukraine, so that Putin decides he has to stop, is one of the biggest challenges, regardless of which administration will be in the US after the election.
When asked whether the war could spread from Ukraine, Volker said that it is possible if Ukraine is defeated.
"I think we can put enough military force on the table to make him (Putin) stop. If we don't and he manages to defeat Ukraine, which I don't foresee, but it's possible, I think he would have plans for every other country that was once was part of the Russian Empire," Volker said.
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